Lift mechanism



@c&. 26, 1943. c. A. GUSTAFSON ET AL LIFT MECHANISM Filed Nov. 17 1941 sSheets-Sheet 1 o INVENTORJ'.

- (ar/ 19- fiusfaflvon Paul 8. Banner- ATTORNEY.

get c. A. GUSTAFSON ETAL 2,332,732

LIFT MECHANISM Filed Nov. 17, 1941 5 Shets-Sheet 2 INVEN'IORJ'. Car/ r9.611.57% ffon Paul 5560/7811 ATTORNEY.

@ct. 26, 143. c. A. GUSTAFSON ETAL 2,332,712

LIFT MECHANISM Filed Nov. 17, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS.

(ar/ H. @usf'afson Paul 15- Banner ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 26, 1943 f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Carl A. 'Gustafsonand Paul'B. Benner, Peoria,

111., assignors to Caterpillar Tractor 00., San Leandro, Calif., acorporation of California Application November 17, 1941, Serial No.419,376 13 Claims. (c1. 37-42) 'our'invention relates to lift mechanism,and more particularly to such mechanism for controlling movement of bothends of a structure mounted for back and forth movement on a support andwhich extends outwardly from such support, such as a wing-type snow plowstructure.

Wing-type snow plow structures to which the mechanism of our inventionis particularly ap-. plicable generally comprise an upwardly extendingsupporting mast. a bracket part mounted for up and down movement on suchmast, and a snow plow part movably connected to suchbracket part forpivotal movement in an upright plane. Heretofore, a cable was connectedto the bracket part to move such part; and an independent cable wasconnected to the snow plow part. As a result, when it was desired tomove the entire snow plow structure bodily to adjust the level of thesnow plow part with respect to the ground, it was necessary tomanipulate two cables. This arrangement is not all to be, desired; as itis rather difiicult to obtain, by manipulation of two separatelyadjustable cables, accurate adjustment of both parts of the snow plowstructure to a predetermined level, after they have been moved from suchlevel.

Our invention is designed to overcome the above described problems, andhas as its objects, among others, the provision of improved liftmechanism for a structure of the character related, which: enables bothends of such structure to be lifted simultaneously by manipulation of asingle cable; embodies means to enable the entire structure to be liftedor lowered to the same extent, thereby, in the case of a snow plowstructure, facilitating proper adjustment for obtaining an even cut;provides for adjustment of the outer or snow plow part independently ofthe inner or bracket part; permits all adjustments to be made easily andwithout binding of-any of the parts; and which is of simple andeconomical-construction; Other objects of our invention will becomeapparent from a perusal of the following description thereof. 1

Referring to the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the lift mechanism of our-inventionconnected to a snow plow structure which is shown mounted on a type ofvehicle suitable therefor, namely, a self-propelled motor grader shownin phantom lines.

Fig. 2 is a sectional rear elevation taken in planes indicated by line22 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3A is a horizontal section taken in'a plane indicated by line 3A-3Ain Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken in planes indicated by line 44 inFig. 2. v

Fig. 51s a schematic elevational view illustrating the position of thelift mechanism with the snow plow structure at substantially groundlevel.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. illustrating the position of thecontrol mechanism after the en'- tire snow plow structure has beenlifted a fixed distance above the ground, with the snow plow partsubstantially parallel to the ground.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the position of thecontrol mechanism after the snow plow part of thesnow plow structure hasbeen adjusted angularly.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 illustrating the position of thecontrol mechanism, after the entire snow ploy structure has been liftedbodily upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 7.

Usually snow plow structures of the character to which'our inventionrelates are mounted so as to extend laterally or outwardly from aselfpropelled vehicle such as motor grader I Which for this purpose isprovided with an upright mast structure 2 secured to a side of thevehicle by intermediate supporting bracket 3 and bottom et part 8 isbracket element I2 movably connected to element 9 for pivotal movementin a horizontal plane, about upright pivot pin I3. The outer part of thesnow plow structure comprises snow plow part I4 pivotally connected tobracket element I2 for pivotal movement in an upright plane, abouthorizontally positioned pivot pin I6.

Snow plow part I4 is thus angularly adjustable with respect to the lineof draft of the vehicle,

about upright pivot pin I3. For bracing snow plow part It in anyangularly adjusted position with respect to the line of draft,adjustable compression strut I1 is provided. Such strut comprises sleeveI8 in which is telescoped rod I9 held against axial movement withinsleeve I8 by a pin 20 passing through a selected one of a plurality ofapertures in sleeve I8 and an aperture in rod I9. depending upon thelength of strut 2 V desired. The forward end of strut I1 is providedwith a suitable universal connection at 2| to the rear of snow plow partl4; and the rear end of strut I1 is universally connected at 22 tobracket 23 attached to the rear of the vehicle.

Inany angularly adjusted position with respect to the line of draft,snow plow part 14, can be also angularly adjusted in a vertical .planeby movement about pivot pin IS. The universal connections 21 and 22 forstrut l1 will permit such angular adjustment in a vertical plane withslight change in the angular position of the snow plow part with respectto the line of draft.

Depending upon conditions, there are numerous operating positions forthe snow plow. For example, snow plow part l4 may be so adjusted as tohave its lower edge in substantial contact with the ground to removesnow from the ground; or the plow may be adjusted upwardly so as to havesuch edge above and parallel to the ground to make a horizontal step-cutwith respect to the ground. Also, snow plow part l4 may be adjusted atvarious inclinations in an upright plane with its inner edge at variousheights above the ground for making various banked or inclinedstep-cuts. In any given position at which the plow may be cutting, it issometimes desirable to make a rapid adjustment of the entire plowstructure including bracket part 8, so as to allow the plow structure toclear an obstruction which may be in the way. The lift mechanism of ourinvention is designed to provide for such bodily adjustment of theentire snow plow structure by manipulation of only one cable, thusfacilitating restoration of the entire structure to its originalposition. At the same time, such lift mechanism- 8, is a flexible cable26 which extends upwardly along mast support 2 and passes over guidesheave 21 .journalled adjacentthe top of such mast. From guide sheave21, cable 26 passes under a second guide sheave 28, thence around guidesheave 29, mounted on the vehicle, to winding drum 3i. Downward orupward movement of cable 26 causes corresponding movement of bracketpart 6. Another flexible cable 32, which serves as an anchoring cable,as well as a lift cable for the outer end of the snow plow structure, ina manner to be subsequently described, is windable and unwindable from adrum 33 adjacent drum 3|, and passes around guide sheaves 34, from whichit extends upwardly and over a guide sheave 36 joumalled on the top ofmast 2 for pivotal .movement about an upright pivot axis 31. Because ofthe pivotal mounting of sheave 36 to swing about upright axis 31, theportion of the cable 32 extending beyond sheave 36 can turn angularlywith reference to the line of draft of the machine together with snowplow part l4 to which the lower end of such cable 32 is connected.

At its lower end, anchoring cable 32 has secured thereto an anchoringsheave 38 over which passes a third cable 39 which serves in cooperationwith cable 32, as a motion transmitting connection for effectingsimultaneous movement of snow plow part 14 together with bracket part 8when the latter is moved upwardly or downwardly by cable 26. The outerend of cable 39 is secured to snow plow part I4 adjacent the outer endthereof, by means of clevis 4|; and a half speed reduction loopcomprising substantially parallel strands 42 is formed in such cable 39by passage over sheave 38 and a sheave 43 mounted on snow plow part 14adjacent clevis 4|. From sheave 32, cable 39 passes over a sheave 44mounted on the top of bracket element I2 .of bracket part 8; and theinner end of cable 39 is fixedly attached to the lower end of mastsupport 3, at fixed anchoring point 46.

Any suitable means may be provided for effecting winding and unwindingof drums 3| and 33. The form of means illustrated comprises reversibledrive clutching mechanism 41 preferably of the type illustrated in ourassignees Patent No. 2,192,439, by which shafting 48 may be driven ineither one of opposite directions by manipulation of control lever 49.Shafting 48 is connected to any suitable clutch mechanism in clutch box6| for establishing a drive, by manipulation of control lever 52, toeither one of drums 3| or 33.

In operation, when snow plow part I4 is working at ground level, and itis desired to adjust the entire snow plow structure upwardly, this canbe done by manipulation of only cable 26. For example, with reference toFigs. 5 and 6, upward movement of cable 26 will cause upward movement ofbracket part 8. With cable 32 taut so that it can move in an are onsheave 36 as an anchor, movement of bracket part 8 will cause sheave 44on bracket part 8 to serve as a motion controlling member for shorteningthe length of cable 39 between sheave 44 and anchor point 41, to thesame extent as the length of cable is increased between fixed point 46and sheave 44. As a result, the reduction loop, comprising strands 42,in cooperation with anchoring sheave 38, cause the outer end of snowplow I 4 to be moved simultaneously with bracket part 8.

If sheave 38 were journalled on a fixed point, such movement of theouter end of plow l4 would be about one-half the extent of movement ofbracket part 8 because of reduction loop 42. However, anchoring sheave38 being secured to anchoring cable 32 which must move upwardly in anarc as the length of cable between sheave 44 and point 41 is shortened,causes the outer end of snow plow part l4 to be lifted greater than halfthe extent of bracket part 8. Preferably, the angle of inclination andthe length of cable 32 with respect to the snow plow structure, as-isdetermined by the position of sheave 38, are so chosen as to cause, incooperation with the reduction loop in cable 39, the snow plow part 14to move substantially the same extent as bracket part 8; sothat parallellifting and lowering of the entire snow plow structure may obtain withrespect to the ground by manipulation of cable 28.

In the described manipulation of the lift mechanism wherein the entiresnow plow structure may be adjusted bodily as a unit with respect totheground merely by manipulation of cable 28,

part l4 in an upright plane; and when such ad-' justment is made. thebracket part I does not move, as can be observed by comparison of Figs.

and '7. With snow plow part I! adjusted angularly in an upright plane,the entire snow plow structure may be moved bodily as a unit withoutchanging substantially the angle of inclination of snow plow part l4,merely by adjustment of cable 26, as can be observed by comparison ofFigs. 7 and 8. In making any of the described adjustments, no bindingwill occur between snow plow part l4 and bracket part 8 at pivot pointl6; nor will there be any binding of shoe Ii on rail 6 in any positionof bracket part 8 on rail 6. As a result, all adjustments can be madeeasily and rapidly from the operators station of the machine.

Although we have described our lift mechanism in relationship with awing-type snow plow structure of the character illustrated, it isapparent that such lift mechanism may be employed in combination withany other type of structure extending'in cantilever fashion from asupport and which is designed for back and forth movement on suchsupport.

We claim: I

1. Lift mechanism for a structure having an end thereof mounted for backand forth movement on a support and which extends from said 'support,comprising means connected to said structure adjacent said end formoving said end; and means for effecting movement of the opposite end ofsaid structure simultaneously with said first mentioned end includinganchoring means, flexible means connected to said anchoring means andhaving a portion connected to said structure adjacent said opposite endand another portion connected to an anchoring point, and a motioncontrolling member on said structure engaging said flexible means.

2. Lift mechanism for a structure including a part mounted for back andforth movement on a support and another part movably connected to saidfirst mentioned part, comprising means connected to said first mentionedpart for moving said part; and means for effecting movement of saidanother part simultaneously with said first mentioned part includinganchoring means, a flexible member connected adjacent one end thereof tosaid another part and adjacent itsopposite end to an anchoring point andpassing over said anchoring means, and a motion controlling member onsaid first mentioned part engaging said flexible member.

3. Lift mechanism for a structure including a part mounted for back andforth movement on a support and another part movably connected to saidfirst mentioned part, comprising means connected to said first mentionedpart for moving said part; and means for effecting movement of saidanother part simultaneously with said first mentioned part includinganchoring means, a flexible member connected adjacent one end thereof tosaid another part and adjacent its opposite end to an anchoring pointand passing over said anchoring means, and a motion controlling memberon said first mentioned part engaging said flexible member; saidanchoring means being movable to enable independent movement of saidanother part.

4. Lift mechanism for a structure including a part mounted for up anddown movement on a support and another part movably connected to saidfirst mentioned part, comprising means connected to said first mentionedpart for moving said part; and means for effecting movement of saidanother part simultaneously with said first mentioned part including ananchoring member mounted above said structure to swing in an arc andhaving an anchoring element adjacent said structure, a flexible memberconnected adjacent one end thereof to said another part and adlawhensaid first mentioned part is moved it cooperates with said reductionloop to cause said another part to be moved to substantially the sameextent as said first mentioned part.

5. Lift mechanism for a structure including a part mounted for up anddown movement on a support and another part movably connected to saidfirst mentioned part, comprising means connected to said first mentionedpart for moving said part; and means for eifecting movement of saidanother part simultaneously with said first mentioned part including ananchoring cable mounted above said structure to swing in an arc andhaving an anchoring sheave adjacent said structure, a second cableconnected adjacent one end thereof to said another part and adjacent itsopposite end to an anchoring point and having a reduction loop passingover said anchorin sheave, and a motion controlling member on said firstmentioned part engaging said second cable; said anchoring cable being atsuch inclination with respect to said structure that when said firstmentioned part is moved it cooperates with said reduction loop to causesaid another part to be moved to substantially the same extent as saidfirst mentioned part; and said anchoring cable being movable to enableindependent movement ,of said another part.

6. Lift mechanism for a wing-type snow plow structure including abracket part slidably mounted for up and down movement on a support anda snow plow part pivotally connected to said bracket part for movementin an upright plane, comprising means for moving said brack et part; andmeans for effecting movement of said snow plow part simultaneously withsaid bracket part upon operation of said moving means comprising ananchoring cable mounted on said support above said snow plow structureto swing in an arc and having an anchoring sheave adjacent said snowplow structure, a second cable connected adjacent one end thereof tosaid snow plow part and adjacent its opposite end to an anchoring pointon said support, said second cable passing over said anchoring sheave,and a motion controlling sheave on said bracket. part engaging saidsecond cable; said anchoring cable being independently movable toadjitist the angle of inclination of said snow plow par i 7. Thecombination with a structure comprising parts movablyconnected togetherand a support upon which one of said parts is mounted for back and forthmovement; of lift mechanism for said structure including first meansconnected to said one part for moving said part, second movable means,and means including a motion transmitting connection connected to ananchoring point, to said parts and to said second movable means foreffecting movement of another part simultaneously with said one partupon movement of said first means and enabling movement of said anotherpart independently of said one part upon movement of said second movablemeans.

8. The combination with a wing-type snow plow structure comprising asnow plow part and a bracket part to which said snow plow part ispivotaliy connected, and a support upon which said bracket part isslidably mounted for up and down movement; of lift mechanism for saidstructure including a cable connected to said bracket part for movingsaid part; a second cable mounted on said support; and means foreifecting movement of said snow plow part simultaneously with saidbracket part upon movement of said bracket part including a third cableconnected to said snow plow part, said second cable, an anchoring pointon said support and engaging a motion controlling member on said bracketpart.

9. The combination with a wing-type snow plow structure comprising asnow plow part and a bracket part to which said snow plow part ispivotally connected, and a support upon which said bracket part isslidably mounted for up and down movement; of lift mechanism for saidstructure including a cable connected to said bracket part for movingsaid part; a second cagaging a motion controlling member on said bracketpart; said third cable being connected to said second cablethrough areduction loop and the inclination of said second cable being such thatsaid snow plow part is moved to substantially the same extent as saidbracket part upon movement of said bracket part.

10. The combination with a wing-type snow plow structure comprising asnow plow part and a-bracket part to which said snow plow part ispivotally connected, and a support upon which said bracket part isslidably mounted for up and down movement; of lift mechanism for saidstructure including a cable connected to 'said bracket part for movingsaid part; a second cable mounted on said support to swing in an arc;and means for efiecting movement of said snow plow part simultaneouslywith said bracket part upon movementof said bracket part including athird cable connected to said snow plow part, said second cable, ananchoring point on said support and engaging a motion controllingmemplow structure which includes a bracket part slidably supported forup and down movement Hand a snow plow part pivotally connected to saidbracket part for movement together with or independently of said bracketpart: of lift mechanism-for said structure comprising movable means,second movable means for moving said bracket part, and a motiontransmitting connectionconnected to an anchoring point, to both of saidparts and to said first mentioned movable means for efiecting movementoisaid snow plow part simultaneously with said bracket part uponmovement or said bracket part by said second movable means and enablingmovement of said snow plow part independently oi said bracket part uponmovement of said first mentioned movable means.

12. The combination with a wing-type snow plow structure which includesa bracket part slidably supported for up and down movement and a snowplow part pivotally connected to said bracket part for movement togetherwith or independently of said bracket part; of lift mechanism for saidstructure comprising movable means, second movable means for moving saidbracket part, and a motion transmittingconnection connected to ananchoring point, to both oi-said parts and to said first mentionedmovable means for effecting movement of said snow plow partsimultaneously with said bracket part upon movement of said bracket partby said second movable means and enabling movement of said snow plowpart independently of said bracket part upon movement of said firstmentioned movable means, said motion transmitting connection cooperatingwith the first mentioned movable means to cause said snow plow part tobe moved to substantially the same extent as said bracket part uponmovement of said bracket part.

13. The combinaton with a vehicle having a supporting'mast, and awing-type snow plow structure which includes a bracket part slidablysupported for up and down movement on said mast and a snow plow partpivotally connected to said bracket part for movement together with orindependently of said bracket part; 0! lift mechanism for said structurecomprising movable means, second movable means for movpendently of saidbracket part upon movement of said first mentioned movable means.

CARL A. GUSTAFSON. PAUL B. BENNER.

